Methods and devices for maintaining a space occupying device in a relatively fixed location within a stomach

Abstract

Methods and devices for maintaining a space-occupying device in a fixed relationship relative to a patient's stomach by manipulation of the stomach. In one variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are brought into approximation with one another and secured together in a manner that secures a space-occupying device within the stomach of the patient. In another variation, two or more regions of the stomach wall are wrapped around a space-occupying device to maintain the position of the space-occupying device relative to the stomach wall. In another variation, a system having a space-occupying member and a locking member capable holding the space-occupying member against the inner wall of the stomach are provided. In a further variation, a pouch is created within the stomach that receives and retains a space-occupying device.

1. A space-occupying system for deployment of a space-occupying device inside a patient's stomach comprising:
 an expandable member adapted for placement inside the stomach, said expandable member having an opening, said expandable member further having a first side and a second side, and said opening provides a channel running from said first side to said second side; 
 a locking member adapted for placement outside of the stomach, wherein said locking member has a diameter greater than a largest diameter of the opening; and 
 wherein said locking member is adapted for maintaining a region of the stomach wall inside the opening of the expanded expandable member and forcing at least part of the expandable member to maintain contact with a inner surface of the stomach. 
 
     
     
       2. The space-occupying system of  claim 1 , wherein said expandable member is an intragastric balloon, and said locking member is an extragastric balloon. 
     
     
       3. The space-occupying system of  claim 2 , wherein said intragastnc balloon, when inflated, is toroidally shaped, and said extragastric balloon, when inflated, is spherically shaped. 
     
     
       4. The space-occupying system of  claim 3 , further comprising a radio opaque marker attached to said intragastric balloon. 
     
     
       5. The space-occupying system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fluid located in an internal space defined by said expandable member. 
     
     
       6. The space-occupying system of  claim 1 , wherein said locking member comprises a curable material. 
     
     
       7. The space-occupying system of  claim 1 , wherein said locking member comprises an object of fixed size. 
     
     
       8. The space-occupying system of  claim 7 , wherein said object of fixed size comprises of a polymeric sphere. 
     
     
       9. A space-occupying system for deployment of a space-occupying device inside a patient's stomach comprising:
 an expandable member adapted for placement inside the stomach, the expandable member having an opening; 
 a fastener adapted for placement through the opening of the expandable member and through first and second regions of the stomach to maintain the expandable member in a fixed relationship to the stomach; and 
 a first anchor adapted to be attached to the fastener on the exterior wall of the first region of the stomach, and a second anchor adapted to be attached to the fastener on the exterior wall of the second region of the stomach. 
 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first and second anchors have a surface area larger than a diameter of the fastener to allow distribution of pressure from the fastener over a larger area of the stomach tissue. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first region is the anterior of the stomach and the second region is the posterior of the stomach. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener is adapted to force the first and second regions of the stomach to collapse towards one another within the opening of the expandable member. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener is adapted to force the first and second regions of the stomach to come into contact with one another within the opening of the expandable member.